Distinguished Alumni Award

College of Agricultural Sciences honor Alumnus

Clinton D. Pilcher, Ph.D.

B.S., ’93, Bioagricultural Science
Grimes, Iowa

Dr. Clinton Pilcher has spent most of his career working to improve insect pest management options for farmers. Dr. Pilcher’s interest in entomology started when, as a young boy, he worked in corn and wheat fields with his father, an Extension entomologist. He has dedicated his professional career to developing insect control solutions created through agricultural biotechnology. His ultimate goal is to help farmers globally manage these valuable tools in a sustainable manner in order to meet future food production needs.

Dr. Pilcher began his career with Monsanto working as a research entomologist. Currently, he is DuPont Pioneer’s global director for insect resistance management within the industry affairs and regulatory department. He recently became active in CropLife and chairs the biotechnology team within the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee. This group is responsible for global education and implementation of effective IRM strategies. He has traveled to many countries within Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and South and Central America educating key stakeholders on biotech pest control solutions and collaborating with industry, academic, and government officials on management strategies to delay insect resistance development. Most of his efforts, however, have been working with U.S. farmers on managing challenging corn insect pests.

After finishing his B.S. in bioagricultural science at Colorado State University, he received his M.S. and Ph.D. in entomology and crop production and physiology at Iowa State University. Dr. Pilcher and his wife, Carol, a fellow entomologist, have always been agriculture supporters. They invest in the next generation of agriculture leaders by contributing to the College of Agricultural Sciences’ scholarship programs at CSU as well as sponsoring the Pilcher Leadership in Agriculture endowed scholarship at ISU. They also actively support the National Future Farmers of America Foundation.

Dr. Pilcher has received several awards including the Future Seed Giant award sponsored by the American Seed Trade Association and Seed World magazine, as well as awards for activities with the Entomological Society of America.

Dr. Pilcher is an outdoors enthusiast and is involved with several conservation organizations, such as Pheasants Forever. He and Carol reside in Grimes, Iowa, where they have fun with their dogs, Abby and Frazer.